Is There Enough Hockey in WNY to Build More Rinks?

AMHERST, N.Y. - Thousands of people are in town this weekend for the 2013 New York State Amateur Hockey Association State Championships taking place at the Northtown Center.

It's an annual two week tradition that brings youth hockey players from around the state to Amherst to try and win the state championship.

Beginning next year, the tournament will have even more ice to possibly choose from as the HARBORcenter project in downtown Buffalo takes shape.

The new center will be state of the art, with two new NHL sized rinks, parking, a restaurant, hotel and even shopping.
But, is there enough hockey to go around to support the existing facilities and the new one being built in Buffalo?

Tournament organizers think so.

Amherst Youth Hockey Board Member, Bob Schell, believes only good can come from a new facility being built downtown.
"The more quality facilities we have in Buffalo, the more people will end up here in the future," Schell said.

Schell says while attendance in Amherst is impressive over the two week period, it would never be the success it is without the 150 volunteers who work countless hours.